About free grocery coupons

Written by maria o'brien

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(Jean Scheijen)

Free grocery coupons help consumers save money on their food bills and are a great form of advertising for companies and manufacturers. These incentives appear in newspaper inserts, on store shelves, in seasonal displays and in magazines. Free grocery coupons are also mailed to households in great numbers, by request and in direct mailings.

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Misconceptions

Some shoppers assume that grocery coupons won't save them much and don't bother to clip coupons or bring them to the store. However, manufacturers' coupons combined with sales deliver excellent savings, often beating the prices of generic items as well as discount shopping club prices. Another misconception is that Sunday papers are the only place to get coupons, but they are also available in magazines, at grocery stores, by direct request and at food sample displays.

Benefits

The benefits of free grocery coupons extend to both consumer and manufacturer. Shoppers save money on their grocery bill and get to try new products for less, or for free, while companies expand brand recognition and boost sales. Most coupons come in glossy advertisements that serve to promote specific products and companies, even if the consumer forgets to use the coupon.

Features

Some grocery coupons are for a stated amount, for example, 50 cents off the purchase of one specific item. Others offer a free grocery item, up to a stated purchase price. Still other coupons are B1G1, or buy one, get one free. Some grocery store chains and major supermarkets offer double-coupon savings, in which case a 50-cents-off coupon will save the consumer 60p on the item. While many coupons are for one specific item, others let the purchaser choose from any product in a certain line--for example, any box of Brand X breakfast cereal.

Function

Coupons must be used on the specific item or brand pictured or stated on the coupon. Grocery stores collect coupons after consumers use them, and submit them to coupon clearing houses for reimbursement of the face value. Manufacturers can then track the success of their promotions and coupon campaigns by analysing the coupons redeemed.

Type

The majority of coupons are what's known as manufacturer's coupons. There are also store coupons that give a discount on specific items, store brands or store departments, such as 60p off a £6 produce purchase or 75 cents off any generic brand item. Manufacturer's rebates are another type of coupon, which refund to buyers all or part of the purchase price of specific items.